How to Select a Small Diameter Rehab Cutter

The purchase of a sewer rehab cutter is a big decision. The wrong piece of equipment can quickly become a financial black hole, requiring frequent, costly servicing and losing you jobs.

Careful consideration of features, options and sizes is key to ensuring the cutter you purchase will last without limiting your capabilities.

Small diameter cutters can be used for many different cleaning and restoration purposes, from connection reinstatement to removing protrusions and build-up. Ultimately, the decision depends on where and how the cutter will be used, so consider your current needs as well as your expectations for the future.

What conditions do you operate in?

Small diameter cutters are best suited to residential and commercial lines. Consider the standard pipe diameters in your area and select a design that will fit the majority of your needs. Likewise, your range of work is defined by the length of your cutter hose or cable. When in doubt, it’s better to have a little extra than not enough.

What kind of cutting motor will do the job?

Choose a motor that has a long life and is safe to service and operate. The most common type in the industry, pneumatic motors, are reliable and easy to repair. Powered by air, they deliver more horsepower per pound than other types of motors and are easier to transport and deploy — though they use substantial power to run.

Electric motors are typically less expensive but may be harder to maintain and are usually limited to lower-power functions like propulsion, articulation, cameras and lights. Though rare, small diameter cutters with hydraulic motors are useful for heavy loads and can produce up to 25 times more force than a pneumatic motor of equal size, but they come with a hefty price tag.

Motor rotations per minute (RPM) and torque impact your capabilities. For rapid cutting, the RPM should be around 10,000. Torque is the power behind the speed; it should be consistently high and not vary significantly with RPM. Additionally, your cutter should deliver higher torque under load.

Read the rest of this article by downloading the How To Guide.